Sec7family

Sec7family refers to a group of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that play crucial roles in regulating small GTPases of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family. These proteins are essential components of intracellular trafficking pathways, influencing the formation and scission of transport vesicles. Sec7family GEFs catalyze the exchange of GDP for GTP on ARFs, thereby activating these GTPases and promoting downstream signaling events.

Members of the Sec7family are characterized by a conserved Sec7 domain, which is the catalytic core responsible for GEF activity. This domain interacts with ARF proteins, facilitating the release of bound GDP and the subsequent binding of GTP. The specific ARF proteins targeted by different Sec7family members can vary, leading to diverse cellular functions.

These GEFs are involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including the organization of the Golgi apparatus, the generation of coated vesicles (such as COPI and COPII vesicles), and the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Dysregulation of Sec7family GEF activity has been implicated in various human diseases, including cancer and developmental disorders, highlighting their importance in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Research continues to explore the precise mechanisms by which Sec7family GEFs control ARF signaling and their broader biological significance.